Welcome to Flyertalk and welcome to the BA forum kwaralala.

I'm not sure what to suggest really. I am not sure what the requirements are on Private Messages for new members though I know there is some sort of restriction. It is supposed to be an escalation route after you have spoken, by telephone, to BAEC. It has been difficult to get through on the telephone but judging from other posts this is now working better. I can see that Chat isn't a good way of doing it. As for the missing status upgrade if you ended up buying food, drink, baggage then I think you do have a case to recover that after travel if BA have not been timely with processing your complaint. I think this also falls under the ambit of BA not treating you fairly and therefore after 8 weeks you can take the complaint to CEDR.